What a 1-Day Digital Detox Does for Your Brain (It's Pretty Amazing)

The internet is an amazing tool, but neuroscientists believe it can reprogram your brain to be less effective. Fortunately, much of that damage can be repaired with even a short period of time away from consumer electronics.

Because these secondary effects are obviously undesirable, some psychologists have begun recommending "digital detox" to reset your brain and return it to normal functioning.

FastCompany.com recently described an experiment where a team of neuroscientists were embedded with a group of successful entrepreneurs at a retreat in the Moroccan desert with no internet access. Here's what happened:

The amount of eye contact increased. Participants looked up at other people rather than down at their screens, and as a result made better and deeper personal connections, making it easier to develop friendships.

Conversations became more engaging. Since participants weren't able to access Google (or answer email, texts, etc.), they were forced to convey more personal experience and anecdotes, further deepening the experience of being with others.

People remembered more. Because participants were "more present" in conversations, they were more likely to remember what was said, especially details about other people's lives which otherwise would have been lost in the flood of online information.

Sleep patterns improved. Most screens emit "blue light," which signals the body to hold back on releasing melatonin, the naturally-occurring chemical that tells your brain that you're ready to sleep.

Many made "breakthrough" decisions. Without the constant distraction of the internet, participants were able to think more deeply and make life decisions that they'd been putting off--and also believe they had the willpower to follow through.

While the effects above developed over a period of days, there's plenty of evidence that even a 24-hour detox can have a huge positive impact on how your brain functions. Ideally, a detox should be done with others, especially family and friends. Some people have characterized the experiences as literally "life-changing."